Critics of the decision to weaken the UK’s ZEV mandate are pointing to a glaring contradiction: the carmakers’ own sales data from 2024 completely undermined their arguments that the policy was unworkable.
The core of the industry’s lobbying was that the sales targets were too aggressive and unsustainable. Yet, as the year progressed, it became clear that every single manufacturer was on track to meet, and ultimately did meet, their 2024 obligations. EV sales soared, capturing over a fifth of the market in July.
Ben Nelmes of New Automotive called this out directly, stating the industry’s own consultation responses “confirm that the 2024 targets were met, proving the policy is a powerful driver of change.” For him and other campaigners, this data should have been the final word, proving the mandate’s effectiveness.
The government’s decision to look past this hard evidence and instead act on the industry’s future warnings of doom suggests a willingness to prioritise corporate forecasts over demonstrated performance. This has led to accusations that the policy change was based on lobbying, not evidence.